Means for attaching canopy-tops.



No. 817,517. PATENTBD APR. 10, I906.

W. G. BANDS.

MEANS FOR ATTAGHING CANOPY TOPS. APPLICATION IYILBD AUG. 2, 1905.

PV/ 1 WE SEES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. BANDS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

MEANS FOR ATTACHI NG CANO PY-TQPS.

No. 817,517. Specification of Application filed August 2,

citizen of the United States of America, re- .1.

siding at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for Attaching Canopy-Tops, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings,

This invention relates to an improved means for attaching tops or canopies to the bodies of vehicles, and'especially to detach able fastenin means for automobile tops or canopies; an the object of the invention is to provide attractive attachments which may be readily secured in the desired position to any finished and upholstered vehiclebody without the necessity of refinishing or reupholstering and which devices are so con structed that the to may be quickly and easily detached there rom for the purpose of a folding or removal.

i It is also an object of the invention to pro videsuitable brackets or hooks to receive and support the top when folded, which hooks may be detached from the body when not in use, and to provide certain other new and use ful features, all as hereinafter more fully described, reference bein had to the accom panying drawings, in w 'ch Fi ure 1 is a perspective view of an auto"- mobi e-body provided with an extension-top and showing said top attached to the body by devices embodying this invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the supporting hooks detached, and Fig. 3 a similar view of the socket-plate ther for. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one f the securingrackets for the rear bows of the top, and Fig. 5 a similar view of the socket plate therefor. Fig.6 is a perspective view of one of the securingbrackets for the front bows of the top, and Fig. 7 a similar view of the socket-plate therefor, and Fig. 8 is a pers ective view of a modified construction of p ate especially adapted for holding a canopy-top and also shown the lower end of one ofthe canopy-stander s and asecuring-nut therefor detached and in perspective.

For convenience of illustration Tl, have shown in Fi 1 a perspective view of an automobile-bo y A of a common construction and form having a front and rear seat and side entrance, and a to B of the extension class, which is especialy adapted for use upon this style of body and is of the usual Letters Patent. Patented April 10, 1906;

1905. Serial No 272,304.

construction, is shown attached to the body;

to thebody and su porting the'same illustrated in detail int c other figures may be used upon other forms of body as well or to attach other styles and makes of top or canopy.-

As shown in the drawings, the rear bows 1- of'the' top, which are pivotally united near their lower ends, are provided with an eye for the engagement of a laterally-extending screw-threaded pivot pin or stud 2 on a bracket 3, which consists of an upwardly-extending shank portion formed at its lower end into a flat and tapered or wedge-shaped portion 41, adapted to fit into a tapering socket 5, formed on a socket-plate 6. This plate is secured, by means of screws, to the outer surface of the body at the desired lace and is shaped to fit the curve of the b0 y at that point and to present an ornamental appearance. The forward bows 7 are also pivotally united near their lower ends, and the downwardlyextending end of one of said bows is formed with av laterally and outwardiy projecting pin or stud 8 to engage an opening or eye in the up er end of a bracket 9, which is formed with a ower wedge-shaped and: tapered end the same as the bracket 3. A. socket likethe socket 5 is formed on a stantially thesame as plate 6, except that it is formed .to suit-the particular place at which it is secured to the body.

The top may be folded in the usual'manner by first loosening the ys 11, then disengaging the pins 8 from t5: brackets 9, carrying the forward bows 7 back to the bows 1, en-

vside of said ows 1, an then folding all rearwardly over theback of the rear seat. To

socket-plate 13, shaped to conform to the curve of the seat-backs near its up er edge is secured to said back by screws an is formed with two opposing angle-flanges 14, extending outward from its face, with a space 15 between to form a split and taperin socket to receive the flattened and wedge-s aped end 16 on the supporting hook or bracket 17. The shank of the hook passes through the slot 15 when the end 16 is engaged with its socket and extends downward and outward at an inclination to the plate 13 and is formed with an upwardly-curved outer end forming but the several devices for attaching the top socket-plate 10 to receive the wedge-shaped end of said bracket 9, said plate being sub-.

gaging said ins with-e es 12 on the forward support said top in its folded position, a'

the hook to receive the bows of the top. At the bottom of the hook the same is formed with laterally-extending portions forming a seat 18 for the bows, and the extreme outer end of said hook is formed with an eye or loop 19, throu h which a strap may be passed to secure the ows together and within the hook. If thesehooks were permanently secured to the body, they would be in the way and present an unsightly appearance when the top is up, and therefore they are made easily detachable, so that they may be sli ped fromtheir sockets and stored-in the ody when the top is raised. For the same reasons the brackets 3 and 9 are set in sockets, so that they may be quickly detached, leaving the body free from projecting parts when the top is removed, and the detachability of the brackets 3 greatly facilitates the removal of the top, as it is not necessary to take off any boltsv or nuts.

Where a canopy-top having perpendicular standards 20 is used, I prefer to provide a plate 21, which may be sov formed as to adapt it to be secured in the desired place upon the outer surface of the body, and on this plate is an outwardly projecting bearing or socket 22 to receive the end of the standard, which is formed with a collar 23 to engage the upper surface of the bearin and limit the distance which the standard may project therethrough. The lower end of the standard is preferably screw-threaded to receive a nut 24 to engage the under side of the bearing and firmly secure the standard therein.

By providing the socket-plates adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the body the finished and upholstered body may be easily provided with a top at any time, as it isnot necessary, as is ordinarily done, to iron the body for the top before it is upholstered or finished. These plates are secured by screws to the body, and therefore before so securing them they may be'adjusted in any direction on the surface of the body to level and square up the top, thus greatly facilitatin presence of two ing the work, and by desig'nin the'plates to suit the particular body and place of attachment thereto the form an ornamental trimming which greatly adds to its appearance.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The combination of a plate adapted to be secured to the outer surface of a vehiclebody and formed to conform to the shape of said'surface, a socket on said plate, a hook shaped bracket formed with a wedge-shaped end to engage the socket, and a seat for the bows of a vehicle-top formed at the bottom of the hook. p

2. The combination of a plate adapted to be securedto the outer surface of a vehiclebody and formed to conform to the shape of said surface, outwardly extending angleflanges on the'plate with a space between their adjacent edges and forming an open socket, and a downwardly and outwardly extending hook-shaped bracket provided with a wedge-shaped end to engage the socket and formed with an eye atone end to, receive a stra 3. The combination of. a plate adapted to be secured to the outer surface of a vehiclebody and formed to conform to the shape of said surface and provided with holes for screws, outwardly extending angle flanges on the plate with a space between their adj acent edges and forming an open tapering socket, a hook-shaped bracket adapted to extend outwardly and downwardly from the socket when secured therein, a wedge-shaped end on the bracket to enga e the socket, a loop on the outer end of the 00k, and laterally-extendin portions 011 the hook forming a seat for the ows of a vehicletop.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature witnesses.

WILLIAM c. RANDS.

Witnesses:

OTTO F. BARTHEL, AnoLPn' BARTHEL. 

